Guest Testimonials from the Loire Valley!!

"Just a short note to thank you for the wonderful tour this week in the Loire Valley.  The variety of our activities and the fun involved, including the friendly and charming people we met, along with the warmth, ease and engaging personality of our guide, all have made this a trip I'll remember for a very long time!  I'll certainly be looking at taking another tour with you in the future.  Thank you again!"  Debbie Versace, Adelaide, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)

"I'm thrilled that I went hot air ballooning - what a great experience!  I loved seeing the chateaux - just what I expected.  And, all the Chefs were delightful!  I had a great time in Provence last year, and since I wanted to see the Loire Valley, I decided to take another trip with your company.  I had a fabulous time again and enjoyed meeting everyone in the group. Thank you"  Margie Krumholz, Washington D.C.  (Loire Valley Tour)

"I had a taste of every piece of heaven that I wanted and expected in the Loire Valley!  Loved it all!  Great variety, great fun!! Can't wait for the next adventure with you!!" Natalie Spiro, San Diego, CA  (Loire Valley Tour)

"Thank you for a great time this week.  It was wonderful meeting everyone in the group.  Loved our guide, the cooking classes, Chenonceau castle, the day in Blois and of course the hot air ballooning!  I had never been on an organized tour before this one, and didn't know what to expect.  I had such a fun time, thank you!!  Looking forward to the next adventure with you!" Maria (Tessa) Meiser, Chicago, IL  (Loire Valley Tour)

"Kudos!!  Our guide's devotion to orchestrating our tour events to maximize our enjoyment was much appreciated!  She was professional, yet had a personal demeanor that the entire group enjoyed. And, her knowledge was phenomenal!  Our dinners were out of this world, the wine and cheese tasting was excellent, selection of castles was fascinating, the hotel staff was wonderful. You really delivered!!  Thank you!" Bill and Robyn Roberson, Sandy, UT  (Loire Valley Tour)

"5 out of 5 all the way!!  Loved Rich's birthday surprise, so thoughtful of you!  We loved our guide's personal touch and her knowledge of French history.  She was SUPER!! The hot air ballooning was one of many memorable highlights of this trip.  Loved the chateau accommodations - Christine and Bernard and staff were the best!  We had a great time!!  Every experience was so different and felt so authentically French." Rich and Nancy Strickler, Jacksonville, FL  (Loire Valley Tour)

Fun shots from the Loire Valley!!

Had a fabulous time with our group this past week in the Loire Valley.  Our two gentlemen, both retired US Navy fighter pilots, entertained us with their worldly stories between our castle tours, market visits and cooking classes.  We enjoyed fabulous cuisine throughout the trip, indulged in a wine and cheese tasting and of course no one will forget our hot air ballooning excursion with the fabulous Nicolas!! 

Photos above : Friend and World famous Master Chef, Christophe prepares to reveal his award winning "tarte tatin"! And we left no crumbs behind!!

Hot Air Ballooning was Amazing : Viewed at least 8 Castles!

We love cheese and Rich really loves French wine!!

Friend and Michelin-star Chef, Damien (below) takes us on a tour of France through a comprehensive cheese and wine tasting that is out of this world, YUM!!

 Friend and Michelin-star Chef, Christophe (below) really knows how to 

let his hair down during cooking class!

As usual, we had such a great time during each of the cooking classes during the week!

Having fun at the Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley, France

It's been a fun and entertaining week in the Loire Valley.  Beautiful blue skies and warm weather have been the constant each day.  We've explored some wonderful castles learning fun facts and dish about the Kings and their courts.  And, in the evenings we've been having a blast at cooking classes and dining with local friends, some of the most prominent Chefs of France!!

Here below is a fun photo we took yesterday at Chambord Castle...stay tuned there will be more photos of this fabulous trip to follow.

Testimonials and Dinner Photo taken at the best kept secret in Provence!!!

Another great group, sumptuous dinner and exciting week together in Provence!

"Loved the optional bike ride, the dinners, especially the first night's dinner playing petanque and having dinner at the Chef's home.  We thoroughly enjoyed all of the hiking/walking activities and staying in one hotel for the entire trip.  Thanks for a great week!!" Russ & Mary Gentile, Jacksonville, FL

"The dinner experiences were great, as was the hiking and optional biking we chose.  We loved the variety in the itinerary and all the places visited.  Cassis is beautiful! Thank you!" Jim & Stacy Philip, Jacksonville, FL

"We had fun!!  The trip offered a lot of flexibility.  Some of our favorite's of the trip include Cassis and the port, the boat ride to view the calanques.  Lunch at Marc's family estate was very special. Also enjoyed our first night's petanque match and dinner at the Chef's home.  Loved the St. Remy market and the hotel's location right in town. Loved the tree house suite. We enjoyed touring France again with you." Tom & Janice Rogan, Columbus, OH (Have been on Paris, Loire Valley and now Provence Trip with us)

"Thank you for a nice vacation!!  We loved going to both Chef's homes, playing petanque, having lunch in the garden.  Cassis was also great!  Our small group was fun, and our tour guide was excellent!" Frank & Judy DiMaggio, Kennett Square, PA

Luberon Villages, Provence Village to Village and Vineyard Walk Photos...

A sampling of photos taken during our visits to the Luberon Villages following Marc's cooking class, of our village to village walking day and of our vineyard walk and wine tasting...more to come!

Crossing Provence One Poppy field at a Time!

Provence May 3 :  Half of our Provence tour group opted for a day of cultural biking in Les Baux de Provence Valley and the other half of the group opted to participate in our friend, Master Chef Marc's cooking class to learn historical Provencal recipes.  After cooking class we headed for an afternoon visit to Roussillon and Gordes in the Luberon area of Provence...

Here are photos from our tours of Marc's bastide property, poppy field photo ops, the Luberon villages and lunch after cooking class...Actuall cooking class photos will be posted later on...

May 2011 - More of Spring in Provence!!!

PROVENCE : Nothing more enjoyable than spring in Provence!!  And to celebrate the beautiful weather we enjoy an evening of petanque with cocktails before dinner at our Chef's home!!